Fifty basketball seasons ago, the Philadelphia 76ers had scheduled a Beer Mug Night Promotion. About 30 minutes before doors opened, a decision was made not to hand them to fans entering the Spectrum, but rather give them out after the game.
The choice was made because the team was on its way to a 9-73 season and management recognized the risk that could be taken handing out the glass mugs to fans enduring another loss.
That brings us to Sunday in Washington when the Commanders were scheduled to give out seat cushions to their fans. Per Commanderswire, given the current turmoil and dismay with team management, it was decided to hand them out as fans left the stadium.
(Team owner Dan) Snyder’s Commanders had a home game on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. It wasn’t just any home game; it was homecoming weekend where the franchise would add 10 more franchise greats to its “90 greatest,” celebrating 90 years as an NFL franchise. In addition, the team would be giving out seat cushions to fans.
However, after considering the Snyder situation, the franchise decided against the seat cushions and instead gave them out after the game. But Washington had to know there would be fans with signs, specifically centered around selling the team, directed at Snyder.
Commanders’ management feared seat cushions could rain down on the field. That’s how bad things are in Washington with the NFL franchise.
And the decision was wise, especially when you consider multiple fans who brought signs to the game aimed at Snyder to sell the team were directed to put the signs down.
Snyder’s security guards made me take the sign down so I put on the bag on and they made me take that off. I told them it was our franchise’s version of the cheese head. Plenty of cheese heads around us. #SellTheTeam pic.twitter.com/o73l79r5XN
— Tom Manatos (@TomManatos) October 23, 2022
Another poor decision made by a franchise that specializes in them.
Video of security making us take the signs down. https://t.co/YUxOaffmsx
— Tom Manatos (@TomManatos) October 23, 2022
Hours after the damage had been done, a franchise spokesperson reached out to the Washington Post to try and make amends.
On Sunday evening, a team spokesperson reached out to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post with the following statement:
“They should not have been asked to take down the signs. (Bags over heads are not allowed as it’s a safety issue.)”
Too little, way too late, and far too conniving.
Signs being confiscated or taken down have happened through the years at WWE events.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said last week he believes “there’s merit to remove” Snyder as the owner of the Washington Commanders.”
Sunday was just another example of why change is needed.